流水不腐，户枢不蠹 in English liu2 shui3 bu4 fu3 , hu4 shu1 bu4 du4 Meaning

Meanings

• literally (word for word) flowing water does not rot, nor a door-hinge rust (idiomatic expression)
• metaphorically constant activity prevents decay

Pinyin

liu2 shui3 bu4 fu3 , hu4 shu1 bu4 du4

Literal

Literal explanation, with pronunciation and meaning of each character.

流liu2to flow 水shui3surname Shui 不bu4(negative prefix) 腐fu3decay ， 户hu4a household 枢shu1hinge 不bu4(negative prefix) 蠹du4insect that eats into books, clothing etc